[sustran] Re: Chennai: NGO criticises proposal for construction of multi-storeyed parking lots

[Todd Alexander Litman]

See our new report, "Parking Management: 
Strategies, Evaluation and Planning" 
(http://www.vtpi.org/park_man.pdf ) which 
discusses various ways of encouraging more 
efficient use of parking facilities. Mutli-story 
parking lots are so costly that they seldom 
recover their full costs, and so require public 
subsidy (often a hidden subsidy in the form of 
tax exemptions). It is far better to use mobility 
and parking management strategies as much as 
possible before any new parking supply is added.


Best wishes,
-Todd Litman




At 02:10 AM 3/12/2006, arul rathinam wrote:
>NGO criticises proposal for construction of
>multi-storeyed parking lots
>
>The Hindu ­ 12-03-2006
>
>Chennai : Opposing the proposal to construct a
>multi-storeyed parking lot at Panagal Park and T.
>Nagar, Pasumai Thayagam, a non-Governmental
>organisation, on Saturday said only an integrated
>traffic development system should be attempted to find
>a solution to the city's traffic congestion.
>
>The idea to construct a parking lot at the Park would
>amount to ignoring the requirements of a vast
>majority.
>
>More vehicles
>
>The organisation explained that the main reason for
>the congestion was the explosion in vehicle
>population.
>
>Increasing the number of public transport buses and
>frequency of train services, improving footpaths and
>according preference to bicycles would ease the
>situation.
>
>It said construction of parking lots should be
>regulated and suit the needs of the locality.
>
>When countries around the world were trying to find
>progressive solutions, wrong schemes such as
>multi-storeyed parking and monorail system were being
>planned in Chennai, a release from the organisation
>lamented.
>
>http://www.hindu.com/2006/03/12/stories/2006031217390300.htm
>
>
>CMDA to issue orders for multi-storeyed parking lots
>
>The Hindu ­ 11-03-2006
>
>At Broadway bus stand, Panagal Park and Government
>Estate
>
>•  High growth of vehicle ownership in the city
>•  Authorised parking space is only 5,100 PCE in 161
>stretches
>•  Multi-storeyed parking lots are no miracle cure,
>say experts
>•  "Better to adopt different strategies in different
>places"
>
>CHENNAI: After more than a decade of delay, the
>Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) is
>finally set to issue orders on setting up
>multi-storeyed parking lots at three locations in the
>city.
>The announcement of elections though has temporarily
>postponed the launch of the projects.
>
>Places identified
>
>According to official sources, the Government agency
>has identified places for setting up the parking lots
>near Broadway bus stand, Panagal Park and Government
>Estate. The mechanised parking lots are aimed at
>decongesting high traffic zones. The on street parking
>at Chennai Corporation-designated parking lots has
>resulted in severe clogging of several commercial
>zones in the city.
>
>Growing vehicle ownership
>
>A study on "Parking requirements of Chennai
>Metropolitan Area" carried out by Wilbur Smith
>Associates in 2003 had pointed at the high growth of
>vehicle ownership in the city - from 4 vehicles per
>100 persons in 1981 to 14 per 100 persons in 1991 to
>30 per 100 persons in 2001.
>
>The peak hour parking demand in the city was
>calculated at around 13,000-passenger car equivalent
>(PCE; which is roughly equal to space needed for
>parking 5,000 cars and 15,000 two wheelers).
>
>Authorised parking space maintained by Chennai
>Corporation was only 5,100 PCE spread across 161
>stretches.
>
>In the commercial zones of T. Nagar and Parrys Corner,
>parking demand far exceeded the on street capacity.
>This also led to an average loss in road capacity of
>over 40 per cent.
>
>The study suggested a comprehensive review of the
>parking policy to address the problem.
>
>Private construction firm Mecon India took up a
>detailed study of the proposals for multi storey
>parking lots in six locations in Chennai.
>
>Three projects at Broadway, Panagal Park and
>Government Estate off Anna Salai are to be taken up
>initially.
>
>A 3.5-acre land near Broadway bus stand will be
>developed as a four-storeyed parking lot. The
>automated facility will be used for parking over 300
>two wheelers and over 350 cars, besides the buses.
>
>The facility at Panagal Park will come up on half an
>acre plot within the park premises.
>
>It will be used for parking close to 300 two-wheelers,
>350 cars and around 20 commercial vehicles.
>At the Omandurar Government Estate off Anna Salai,
>parking facility will be created for over 400 cars.
>
>Others places where similar parking facilities are
>being considered include the 4-acre-MUC (Madras United
>Club) grounds in Broadway, and the 0.4-acre MTC depot
>on Pattullous Road. Officials are preparing detailed
>project reports for the proposals.
>
>Holistic approach
>
>Experts have maintained that multi-storeyed parking
>lots are no miracle cure and it would be better to
>adopt different strategies in different places.
>
>The Western countries, especially in Europe, have
>found success in reducing congestion by declaring them
>fully pedestrian zones. Vehicles are parked outside
>the market.
>
>http://www.hindu.com/2006/03/11/stories/2006031117570300.htm
>
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Sincerely,
Todd Alexander Litman
Victoria Transport Policy Institute (www.vtpi.org)
litman at vtpi.org
Phone & Fax 250-360-1560
1250 Rudlin Street, Victoria, BC, V8V 3R7, CANADA
“Efficiency - Equity - Clarity”

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